When was the last time you climbed Masada? The location of the fortified mountain in the middle of the arid desert makes the annual school trip and IDF ceremonies the most common answers to that question. That means that there is a good chance that a lot of time has passed since you experienced the famous snake path or the impressive view from atop, not to mention the emotions from the history and mythology of the site.
In the spirit of modern upgrades, the Masada visitor’s center and national park is interested in attracting visitors with mini innovations: a museum, Torah scrolls, event hall, camp grounds; on the side of the archaeological site the cable car and audio-visual light show are, as always, in operation.
The new museum in the middle of the visitor’s center displays the archaeological discoveries found at the site, some of which are being seen by the public for the first time. You can see, among others, a papyrus with the pay stub of a Roman soldier (including a deduction for sandals), olive and date pits.
The conceptual design of the site creates a very dramatic effect: the walls and theatrical lighting in the nine scenes which make up the display are all painted different shades of black, and they provide a background to the illuminated displays. The drama only intensifies the display of the stone ‘Masada lots’, which, according to the explanation, were used to decide which Jew would be the last one to kill his friends and fall on his sword.
Then, in anticipation of some tragic climax, the museum ends and the visitor finds himself back in the entry room, meaning I left slightly disappointed. The coins and clay shards from hundreds of years ago were very interesting, and I definitely respect the choice to stick to historical artifacts and not to legends and myths, but all the drama and darkness really made me believe that something was about to happen. And suddenly the museum was over.
After or before the museum you will definitely go up to the place where the drama occurred 2,000 years ago. Alongside the impressive archaeological remains, I was horrified to hear that parts of the unprotected mosaics have disappeared thanks to the visitors who have taken home a souvenir from Masada. It was also strange to discover that couples choose this site as a romantic place to get married, at the site where a mass suicide (or some say murder) took place. But maybe that's just me.
• Masada National Park: 18 km south of Ein Gedi. Price: Ascent in the cable car NIS 61 for adults and NIS 34 for children; Climbing the Snake Path NIS 23 for adults and NIS12 for children (additional fee for the audio-visual light show and audio headsets for the museum)
Hours: 8:00-17:00 in April- September (the rest of the year the park closes at 16:00)
• In order to ensure that you will arrive at sunset at Masada, the campgrounds, which have been around for years, have also improved. For camping enthusiasts there are bathrooms, showers, refrigerators, and cooking gas, at a price of NIS 20 a night, advance notice required.